Camera system for use in a vehicle with settable image enlargement values

ABSTRACT

A capturing device includes an image sensor that generates an image signal by performing photoelectric conversion for light from a subject, a control unit that generates a setting value for setting a range where an image resulting from the image signal is cut, based on a first instruction input from a user, a setting value storage unit that stores the setting value generated by the control unit, an image conversion unit that reads the setting value from the setting value storage unit, and cuts a specific region specified by the setting value from the image and enlarges the cut region, when there is a second instruction input from the user, and an output unit that converts a signal of the image cut and enlarged by the image conversion unit into an image signal of a predetermined format and outputs the converted image signal.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/117,437, filed Aug.30, 2018, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/216,040,filed Jul. 21, 2016, now U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/142,580, issued Nov.27, 2018, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/547,218,filed Nov. 19, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,485,429, issued Nov. 1, 2016;which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/231,338, filed Sep.13, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,947,561, issued Feb. 3, 2015, which isentitled to the priority filing date of European Patent application10306116.4, filed in the European Patent Office on Oct. 14, 2010, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a capturing device, a capturing systemhaving the capturing device, and a capturing method applied to thecapturing device or the capturing system, which are suitable forapplication to, for example, a vehicle equipped camera.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, a miniature camera is equipped in vehicles such asautomobiles or trains, and a picture taken by the camera is displayed ona display device installed in the vicinity of a driver's seat or thelike. (For example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2002-19556). This camera photographs a place which isdifficult for a driver to view during driving, and can make the placewhich is difficult for the driver to view into a place which is easilyviewed by displaying obtained images on the display device. As the placewhich is difficult for the driver to view, for example, in the case ofan automobile vehicle, there are many cases where a rear side or thelike of the vehicle is set in consideration of moving backwards duringparking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, as described above, in the case where the place which isdifficult to view is set fixedly, there is a problem in that althoughthe driver intends to gaze a specific local place, it is difficult toconfirm a detailed picture of the place through an image taken by thecamera.

It is desirable to easily confirm an image of a local place or the likewhich a driver (user) intends to particularly gaze.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an image sensor generatesan image signal by performing photoelectric conversion for light from asubject, and a control unit generates a setting value for setting arange where an image resulting from the image signal is cut, based on afirst instruction input from a user. A setting value storage unit storesthe setting value generated by the control unit. An image conversionunit reads the setting value from the setting value storage unit, andcuts a region specified by the setting value from the image and enlargesthe cut region, when there is a second instruction input from the user.In addition, an output unit converts a signal of the image cut andenlarged by the image conversion unit into an image signal of apredetermined format and outputs the converted image signal.

Thereby, when there is the first instruction input from the user, asetting value for setting a region where an image resulting from theimage signal is cut is generated and stored. Also, when there is thesecond instruction input from the user, a region specified by thesetting value is cut from the image and enlarged to be output.

According to the invention, it is possible to store a place (range) orthe like which a user intends to particularly gaze as a setting value,and to cut and enlarge the place so as to be output to an externaldisplay device or the like, at a timing when there is an instructioninput from a user. Therefore, the user can easily confirm an image of alocal place or the like which the user intends to particularly gaze.

Various respective aspects and features of the invention are defined inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are referred to bylike references, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of acapturing system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example ofa setting value storage unit according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process bya timing adjustment unit according to an embodiment of the invention,wherein A shows an example of a reading timing of an image signal froman image sensor, B shows an example of a specific region, C shows anexample of an output timing of a cut region as the specific region, Dshows a reading timing of an image signal from the image sensor, and Eshows an example of an output timing of an image signal from a capturingdevice.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a zoom magnificationsetting for a specific region according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an X axis coordinatesetting for a specific region according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a Y axis coordinatesetting for a specific region according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting storageprocess for a specific region according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a writing process of aspecific region in the setting value storage unit according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reading and enlargingprocess of a specific region according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are explanatory diagrams illustrating a display exampleof a specific region according to an embodiment of the invention,wherein FIG. 10A shows an example of a display screen at a distant placemode, FIG. 10B shows a display example of a specific region beforeenlargement, FIG. 10C shows a display example when the specific regionis enlarged, and FIG. 10D shows a display example of the specific regionafter enlargement.

FIGS. 11A to 11L are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example ofscreen transition when a specific region is set according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen display examplefor prompting to select and fix a mode for setting a specific regionaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen display examplefor setting zoom magnification of a specific region according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen display examplefor setting an X axis coordinate of a specific region according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen display examplefor setting a Y axis coordinate of a specific region according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of aspecific region which is enlarged and displayed according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration exampleof a capturing system according to a modified example 1 of an embodimentof the invention.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example ofwriting images in an image storage unit according to the modifiedexample 1 of an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention (hereinafter, also referredto as “this example”) will be described. The description will be made inthe following order.

1. An embodiment (an example of receiving an operation using twobuttons)

2. A modified example 1 (an example of receiving an operation using onebutton)

3. A modified example 2 (an example of displaying an image of a specificregion registered by a user on a small screen of PinP(picture-in-picture)

1. An Embodiment (An Example of Receiving an Operation Using TwoButtons) An Entire Configuration Example of a Capturing System

FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a capturing device 1 and a displaydevice 2 as an embodiment of a capturing system of the invention. Inthis example, it will be described that the capturing device 1 isapplied to a vehicle equipped camera installed in a rear side of anautomobile vehicle (not shown), and the display device 2 is applied to adisplay device of a car navigation device installed in the car. It isassumed that the capturing device 1 and the display device 2 areconnected to each other via a cable (not shown) or the like, an imagesignal is input to the display device 2 from the capturing device 1, anda control signal is input to the capturing device 1 from the displaydevice 2.

In addition, in this example, by the capturing system 5 configured inthis way, a specific region which a user intends to particularly gaze isset in advance as a presetting, and an image of the preset region isenlarged and displayed by being cut based on an instruction input fromthe user. In the following description, a mode for registering orreading the specific region is referred to as “a personal view mode,”and a mode for displaying an image taken by the capturing device 1 as itis, is referred to as “a normal mode.”

This example shows an example where the capturing device 1 is equippedin an automobile, but is not limited thereto. In other words, thecapturing device 1 of the invention may be equipped in other vehiclessuch as a train, heavy machinery such as a movable crane, a yacht, orthe like.

First, the respective units constituting the display device 2 aredescribed. The display device 2 includes a display unit 21 and anoperation input unit 22. The display unit 21 is constituted by, forexample, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like, and displays animage signal transmitted from the capturing device 1 as an image. Theoperation input unit 22 is constituted by two buttons, a selection andfixity button B1 and a value input button B2, and generates a controlsignal corresponding to contents of a button pressing operation of auser for supply to the capturing device 1.

Particularly, when the selection and fixity button B1 and the valueinput button B2 are simultaneously pressed for a long time by the user,the operation input unit 22 generates a request signal for interruptionused for transition to a setting menu of the “personal view mode” andsupplies the request signal for interruption to the capturing device 1.When the selection and fixity button B1 is pressed twice consecutivelyby the user (first instruction input), the operation input unit 22generates a control signal for each time, and fixes a control settingvalue used for a cut position of an image or a partial enlargementthereof so as to be supplied to the capturing device 1. Also, theoperation input unit 22 performs settings used for a unique display bythe “personal view mode.” In the capturing device 1 entering a statewhere the “personal view mode” is set, when the pressing of theselection and fixity button B1 is detected, the operation is regarded asa second instruction input and a control signal for reading an image ofa region set as the “personal view mode” is generated.

Although, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the display device 2 isconstituted by the display unit 21 and the operation input unit 22 whichare provided independently from each other, the display device 2 may beapplied to a display device employing a touch panel where the displayunit 21 and the operation input unit 22 are formed as a single body.

Next, the respective units constituting the capturing device 1 will bedescribed. The capturing device 1 includes an image sensor 11, an imagequality adjustment unit 12, an image conversion unit 13, a control unit14, a setting value storage unit 15, a timing adjustment unit 16, adisplay control unit 17 and an analog encoder 18 (output unit).

The image sensor 11 is constituted by a solid-state imaging device suchas, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device image sensor) or a CMOS(complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor). The image sensor11 performs photoelectric conversion for light from a subject formed ona wide-angle lens (not shown) to thereby generate an image signal. Theimage sensor 11 supplies the image signal obtained by the image sensor11 to the image quality adjustment unit 12. The image quality adjustmentunit 12 converts the supplied image signal into a digital image signaland performs an image quality adjustment for the digital image signal.The image quality adjustment performs, for example, AGC (automatic gaincontrol), noise reduction, or an image quality enhancement process. Theimage signal having undergone the image quality adjustment in the imagequality adjustment unit 12 is supplied to the image conversion unit 13.Also, the image quality adjustment unit 12 controls the driving of theimage sensor 11.

The image conversion unit 13 includes an image conversion processingunit 131 and an image storage unit 132, and converts and adjusts animage to have a standard output format of an image, for example, aformat for being output by an NTSC (national television systemcommittee) system or the like. The image conversion processing unit 131cuts an image corresponding to a specific region in the image resultingfrom the image signal supplied from the image quality adjustment unit 12under the control of the control unit 14, and enlarges the cut image toa size of a screen of the display unit 21 of the display device 2. Thecut and enlarged image is output to the image storage unit 132. Theimage storage unit 132 is a frame memory which stores image signalssupplied from the image conversion processing unit 131 during apredetermined period of time.

The control unit 14 is constituted by, for example, an MPU(micro-processing unit) or the like, and generates a setting value forspecifying a range of the above-described “specific region” based on acontent of a control signal output from the operation input unit 22 soas to be stored in the setting value storage unit 15. The setting valuefor specifying a range of the “specific region,” that is, the settingvalue of the “personal view mode” is defined by the “first instructioninput” as described above. This setting value is a setting value fordesignating a range of cutting the image resulting from the image signalsupplied from the image quality adjustment unit 12. The setting value isa zoom magnification setting in zoom-displaying the specific region, andX and Y axis coordinates of the specific region. The control unit 14 hasa counter (not shown) which counts the number of pressings of the valueinput button B2 of the display device 2, and a timer which measurestime. When the second instruction input is input to the operation inputunit 22, the control unit 14 reads the setting value from the settingvalue storage unit 15 so as to be output to the image conversion unit13. The control unit 14 generates a control signal for controlling animage signal output timing from the image sensor 11 and an image signaloutput timing from the image storage unit 132, and supplies the controlsignal to the timing adjustment unit 16. The control unit 14 generates acontrol signal used to output an image signal, which is converted intoan image by the image conversion processing unit 131, to the analogencoder 18, and supplies the control signal to the image conversionprocessing unit 131.

The setting value storage unit 15 is constituted by, for example, anEEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) or the like, and storessetting values generated by the control unit 14, factory default data,or image conversion data converted by the image conversion unit 13. Theconfiguration of the setting value storage unit 15 will be describedlater in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The timing adjustment unit 16 adjusts the image signal output timingfrom the image sensor 11 and the image signal output timing from theimage storage unit 132 based on the control signal supplied from thecontrol unit 14. The timing adjustment unit 16 will be described laterin detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The display control unit 17 reads images stored in the image storageunit 132 according to the timings adjusted by the timing adjustment unit16 based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 14, andoutputs the read images to the analog encoder 18. In addition, thedisplay control unit 17 generates a frame line for setting a specificregion, or a surrounding frame or the like which surrounds alater-described specific region so as to be output to the analog encoder18. The analog encoder 18 converts an image signal output from the imageconversion unit 13 to a picture signal such as, for example, the NTSCsystem so as to be supplied to the display unit 21 of the display device2. The timing adjustment unit 16 delays all the image frames regardlessof whether or not an image is cut, such that an image is output at atiming satisfying a vertical (“V”) synchronization based on a timing ofthe NTSC. The timing adjustment unit 16 adjusts decompression of areading timing of an image signal from the image sensor 11 and an outputtiming of an image signal from the image conversion unit 13.

A Configuration Example of the Setting Value Storage Unit

With reference to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the setting valuestorage unit 15 will be described. The setting value storage unit 15includes an image conversion data storage region 15 t, a factory defaultdata storage region 15 a, factory default data storage region 15 b, asetting value storage region 15 c, and a setting value storage region 15d. The image conversion data storage region 15 t stores and maintains astandard setting value which is commonly set for controlling the cameraby the image conversion setting value to be applied to a displayed frameimage, and reflects the setting value on the control of the control unit14 according to one of data stored in the following factory default datastorage regions 15 a and 15 b and setting value storage regions 15 c and15 d which maintain the “personal view mode” or the like, in response toan operation of the second instruction input. The factory default datastorage regions 15 a and 15 b store factory default data. The factorydefault data is stored in both sections of the factory default datastorage regions 15 a and 15 b, and thus when problems occur, therecovery can be made using data stored in one of the two.

The setting value storage regions 15 c and 15 d store setting values fordesignating a specific region which is set at the “personal view mode.”As the setting values for designating a specific region, there are an Xcoordinate and a Y coordinate of the specific region, or zoommagnification when the specific region is zoomed and displayed. Thesesetting values are registered in two to three kinds and the like, thatis, in plural kinds. For example, setting values for specifying specificregions, such as a view mode #1 set at a home parking lot, a view mode#2 set at a workplace parking lot, and the like, may be registered inplural kinds.

Generated and changed setting values are alternately written in thesetting value storage region 15 c and the setting value storage region15 d. By doing this, even when problems such as temporary blackouthappen in the course of writing or renewal of setting values, therecovery can be made using setting values before the change, which arestored in one of the two storage regions. Also, in this example, thenumber of setting value storage regions 15 is two, but is not limitedthereto. The number of setting value storage regions may be three, four,or more.

An Example of a Timing Adjustment Process by the Timing Adjustment Unit16

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of a timing adjustmentprocess by the timing adjustment unit 16 will be described. A of FIG. 3shows a reading timing of an image signal from the image sensor 11. In Aof FIG. 3, a timing when a first pixel (a pixel positioned at the topleft of the screen) of pixels constituting one frame is read is denotedby a timing Ti1, and a timing when a last pixel (a pixel positioned atthe bottom right of the screen) thereof is read is denoted by a timingTie. After the first pixel is read at the timing Ti1, during onehorizontal scanning period 1H, pixels corresponding to the amount of oneline up to the right end of the screen are sequentially read. From thesecond line following the first line to the last line, pixels areconsecutively read, and thereby the pixels corresponding to the amountof one frame are all read. In other words, in the reading of the imagesignal from the image sensor 11 shown in A of FIG. 3, the periodcalculated by (the timing Tie—the timing Ti1) is 1V valid period.

B of FIG. 3 shows an example of a region set as a specific region Pa atthe “personal view mode.” In B of FIG. 3, the specific region Pa ismarked with the broken lines, a timing when a pixel positioned at thetop left of the specific region Pa is read is denoted by a timing Tin,and a timing when a pixel positioned at the bottom right is read isdenoted by a timing Tim. The period calculated by (the timing Tim—thetiming Tin) is changed by the size of the specific region Pa. In thisexample, an image of the specific region Pa is cut, and the cut image isoutput to the display device 2 during the 1V valid period.

C of FIG. 3 shows an example of an output timing of an image to thedisplay device 2. In C of FIG. 3, an output timing of a first pixel isdenoted by a timing To1, and an output timing of a last pixel is denotedby a timing Toe. When the image of the specific region Pa shown in B ofFIG. 3 is output during the 1V valid duration expressed by (the timingToe—the timing To1), it is necessary to delay the output of the image ofthe specific region Pa to the 1V valid period. In addition, the outputtiming of the image signal from the capturing device 1 shown in E ofFIG. 3 is delayed by a predetermined time with respect to the readingtiming from the image sensor 11 shown in D of FIG. 3 so as to add adelay taken for the image quality adjustment unit 12 to adjust imagequality.

The timing adjustment unit 16 adjusts the reading timing of the imagesignal from the image sensor 11 or the reading timing of the cut imagefrom the image storage unit 132 in order to realize the delayed outputof the specific region Pa.

An Operation Example of Initial Setting of the Capturing System

Next, with reference to flowcharts in FIGS. 4 to 9, an operation exampleof setting the “personal view mode” in the capturing system 5 in thisexample will be described. First, an operation example of setting thespecific region Pa will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, andthen an operation example of reading the specific region Pa will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, if the selection and fixity button B1 and thevalue input button B2 (see FIG. 1) of the display device 2 aresimultaneously pressed long (step S11), this operation enables thecontrol unit 14 to detect the request signal for interruption generatedby the operation input unit 22 (step S12). The request signal forinterruption is used to request transition to the “personal view mode”setting state. Also, a character string “SET MENU” blinks on the screenof the display unit 21 of the display device 2 under the control of thecontrol unit 14 (step S13). The correspondence of an operation input bya user with a screen display by the display unit 21 will be describedlater with reference to FIGS. 11 to 18.

A time for detecting the long pressing of the selection and fixitybutton B1 and the value input button B2 is set to, for example, 3seconds to 10 seconds or the like. Even when the selection and fixitybutton B1 and the value input button B2 are pressed together, if apressing time is shorter than a time set as the time for detecting thelong pressing, this is regarded as a wrong operation and thus therequest signal for interruption is not generated.

Next, the control unit 14 activates a timer for counting a button fixitywaiting time (step S14), and determines whether or not the timer timesout (step S15). This timer is a timer used to return to the normal modeas non-operation of buttons, when an operation of the selection andfixity button B1 and the value input button B2 are not performed. Thesetting value of the timer may be, for example, 10 seconds to 120seconds, or the like.

At step S15, when the timer is determined to have timed out, the processreturns to the normal mode (step S16). In addition, when the processreturns to the normal mode, the activated timers all stop to clear theircount values. While the timer has not timed out, it is determinedwhether or not pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 isdetected (step S17). If the pressing of the selection and fixity buttonB1 is not detected, the process returns to step S15 where thedetermination continues to be performed. If the pressing of theselection and fixity button B1 is detected, the character string “SETMENU” which is blinking on the screen of the display unit 21 lights up(step S18). The character string on the screen is changed from theblinking state to the lighting-up state, and thereby a user can sensethat a content indicated by the character string is fixed. In thisexample, the user can grasp that “SET MENU,” that is, a function ofsetting a menu is validated. The “personal view mode” is settablethrough the above-described steps. Also, through these steps, it ispossible to prevent a wrong operation, and unintended operation, or anunprepared change of settings due to an error in touching the buttons.

If a timer for counting a character lighting-up time starts and stops(step S19), a character string “SET ZOOM” blinks on the display unit 21(step S20). The timer for counting a character lighting-up time is usedto count a time when the lighting-up state is maintained, after thedisplay of the character string is changed to the lighting-up state fromthe blinking state. The time when the lighting-up state is maintained isfor notifying the user of the fixity of the content selected by theuser, which is thus set to, for example, 0.5 to 2 seconds.

After the character string “SET ZOOM” blinks, a timer for counting abutton fixity waiting time starts (step S21), and it is determinedwhether or not the timer times out (step S22). When the timer isdetermined to have timed out, the process returns to the normal mode(step S23). While the timer has not timed out, it is determined whetheror not pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 is detected (stepS24). When the pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 isdetected, the process goes to a connector A.

When the pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 is not detectedat step S24, it is determined whether or not pressing of the value inputbutton B2 is detected (step S25). When the pressing of the value inputbutton B2 is not detected, the process returns to step S22 where thedetermination continues to be performed. When the pressing of the valueinput button B2 is detected, a setting value for the zoom magnificationis increased (step S26). The increase in the zoom magnification isperformed by a step width from preset minimum value to maximum value,for example, 8 to 32 step widths, in the cyclic (circulated) manner.That is to say, each time the value input button B2 is pressed once, thezoom magnification is increased by the predetermined step width. If theincreased zoom magnification exceeds the maximum value, it returns tothe minimum value again.

After the setting value for the zoom magnification is increased at stepS26, a frame line indicating a range of the specific region Pa isdisplayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (step S27), and theprocess returns to step S22. The size of the frame line varies inconjunction with the size of the zoom magnification.

A process after the connector A will be described with reference to theflowchart in FIG. 5. When the pressing of the selection and fixitybutton B1 is detected at step S24 in FIG. 4, that is, when the operationof fixing the setting value for the zoom magnification is performed, acharacter string “SET X POS.” lights up on the screen of the displayunit 21 (step S31). In other words, there is a transition to a menu forsetting an X coordinate of the specific region Pa. Subsequently, if thetimer for counting a character lighting-up time starts and stops (stepS32), the character string “SET X POS.” on the screen of the displayunit 21 blinks (step S33).

Next, the timer for counting a button fixity waiting time starts (stepS34) and it is determined whether or not the timer times out (step S35).When the timer is determined to have timed out, the process returns tothe normal mode (step S36). While the timer has not timed out, it isdetermined whether or not pressing of the selection and fixity button B1is detected (step S37). If the pressing of the selection and fixitybutton B1 is detected, the process goes to a connector B. If thepressing of the selection and fixity button B1 is not detected, it isdetermined whether or not pressing of the value input button B2 isdetected (step S38). If the pressing of the value input button B2 is notdetected, the process returns to step S35 where the determinationcontinues to be performed. If the pressing of the value input button B2is detected, the setting value for the X coordinate is increased (stepS39). The increase is also here performed in the circulated manner likethe setting of the zoom magnification.

After the setting value for the zoom magnification is increased at stepS39, a frame line indicating a range of the specific region Pa isdisplayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (step S40), and theprocess returns to step S35. The frame line alters its arrangementposition when a value of the X coordinate is increased. Specifically,each time the value input button B2 is pressed, the frame line movesrightwards on the screen at a predetermined step width, and uponreaching the right end of the screen, the frame line moves the left endof the screen, and the frame line moves rightwards again.

Next, a process after the connector B will be described with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 6. When the pressing of the selection andfixity button B1 is detected at step S37 in FIG. 5, that is, when anoperation of fixing the setting value for the X coordinate is performed,a character string “SET Y POS.” lights up on the screen of the displayunit 21 (step S51). In other words, there is a transition to a menu forsetting a Y coordinate of the specific region Pa. Next, if the timer forcounting a character lighting-up time starts and stops (step S52), thecharacter string “SET Y POS.” blinks on the screen of the display unit21 (step S53).

Next, the timer for counting a button fixing waiting time starts (stepS54), and it is determined whether or not the timer times out (stepS55). If the timer is determined to have timed out, the process returnsto the normal mode (step S56). While the timer has not timed out, it isdetermined whether or not pressing of the selection and fixity button B1is detected (step S57). When the pressing of the selection and fixitybutton B1 is detected, the process goes to a connector C. When thepressing of the selection and fixity button B1 is not detected, it isdetermined whether or not the value input button B2 is detected (stepS58). When the pressing of the value input button B2 is not detected,the process returns to step S55 where the determination continues to beperformed. When the pressing of the value input button B2 is detected,the setting value for the Y coordinate is increased (step S59). Theincrease is also here performed in the circulated manner like thesetting of the zoom magnification or the setting of the X coordinate.

After the setting value for the zoom magnification is increased at stepS59, a frame line indicating a range of the specific region Pa isdisplayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (step S60), and theprocess returns to step S55. The frame line alters its arrangementposition when a value of the Y coordinate is increased. Specifically,each time the value input button B2 is pressed, the frame line movesupwards on the screen at a predetermined step width, and upon reachingthe uppermost part of the screen, the frame line moves to the lowermostpart of the screen, and the frame line moves upwards again.

A process after the connector C will be described with reference to theflowchart in FIG. 7. First, if various kinds of setting values for thezoom magnification and others are set (step S71), a frame lineindicating a region set as the specific region Pa is displayed on thescreen of the display unit 21 (step S72). A character string “StoreSetting” lights up on the same screen (step S73). Next, if the timer forcounting a character lighting-up time starts and stops (step S74), thecharacter string “Store Setting” on the display unit 21 blinks (stepS75).

Next, the timer for counting a button fixity waiting time starts (stepS76), and it is determined whether or not the timer times out (stepS77). If the timer is determined to time out, the process returns to thenormal mode (step S78). While the timer does not time out, it isdetermined whether or not the pressing of the selection and fixitybutton B1 is detected (step S79). If the pressing of the selection andfixity button B1 is detected, a character string “STORING” meaning“storage” lights up on the screen of the display unit 21 (step S80).Successively, if the timer for counting a character lighting-up timestarts and stops (step S81), the character string “STORING” on thedisplay unit 21 blinks (step S82), and the process goes to a connectorD.

FIG. 8 shows a process where the setting value information for thespecific region Pa set by a user at the above-described steps is writtenin the setting value storage unit 15. To begin with, if the settingvalue information for the specific region Pa is written in the settingvalue storage region 15 c (see FIG. 1) (step S91), it is confirmedwhether or not the writing is correctly performed (step S92).Specifically, checksum of data written in the setting value storageregion 15 c is calculated. Next, it is determined whether or not thewriting of the setting values is correctly finished (step S93), and ifthe writing is correctly finished, the data stored in the setting valuestorage region 15 c is set to be validated (step S94), and the settingoperation is finished (step S95).

If the writing of the setting values is not correctly finished, thevalid setting status of the factory default data storage region 15 a (or15 b) is maintained, or the valid setting status of the setting valuestorage region 15 d is maintained (step S96). In other words, thefactory default is validated, or the data in the setting value storageregion 15 d where the previous setting values are written is validated.Whether the factory default data is validated or the data in anothersection of the setting value storage regions is validated is determineddepending on each situation.

An Operation Example at the Normal Mode of the Capturing System

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process (the second instructioninput) when a picture of the specific region Pa is displayed in a statewhere the normal mode, or other modes, for example, a distant place modefor displaying a picture of a distant place is displayed (the personalview mode is activated).

As shown in FIG. 10A, in the state where a mode such as the distantplace mode is displayed (step S101 in FIG. 9), it is determined whetheror not the selection and fixity button B1 is pressed (step S102). Whilethe pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 is not detected, thedetermination at step S102 continues to be performed. If the pressing ofthe selection and fixity button B1 (the second instruction input) isdetected, this operation enables the control unit 14 to detect therequest signal for interruption generated by the operation input unit 22(step S103).

The control unit 14 increases the management number (#) ZZ of thepersonal view mode (in the flowchart, abbreviated to “a view mode”) byone (step S104). The number of the personal view mode ZZ increased atstep S104 and the frame line indicating the specific region Pa aredisplayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (step S105).

Next, a timer for counting a consecutive button pressing operationdetection waiting time is activated (step S106), and it is determinedwhether or not the timer times out (step S107). The timer for counting aconsecutive button pressing operation detection waiting time is a timerused to measure a time when a consecutive button pressing operation by auser is counted. The number of the consecutive button pressing operationdetected during the activation of the timer is counted and added up, andthe added-up value is reflected on a register.

While the timer is not determined to time out at step S107, the processreturns to step S102 where the determination continues to be performed.If the timer is determined to time out, the setting value for thepersonal view mode #ZZ is set to the register (step S108), and a valueof the counter which is counting the consecutive button pressingoperation is reset (step S109). In other words, while a user continuesto press a button, the personal view mode # is increased in conjunctionwith the pressing of the button, and the management number and the frameline of the specific region Pa managed by the management number aredisplayed on the screen of the display unit 21. Thereby, the user canconfirm registered plural pieces of information for the specific regionPa on the screen by consecutively pressing the selection and fixitybutton B1. At a point of time when the users stops the consecutivepressing of the button (a point of time when the timer times out), asetting of the personal view mode # displayed at that time is read anddisplayed on the screen.

In addition, when the selection and fixity button B1 is pressed by theuser again after the transition to the personal view mode, the screen ofthe normal mode is displayed. This is because when the button pressingoperation is received again after a predetermined time has elapsed, ifthe information (added-up value of the counter) fixed by the previousconsecutive button pressing operation is successively displayed on thescreen, the user is apt to be frustrated. Specifically, there is concernregarding the fact that it takes time for the user to think of thecontents of the previous operation. In order to prevent this situation,in this example, at the time of the transition to the personal viewmode, the value of the counter is reset, and the setting is made to bechanged from the screen of displaying the normal mode. In other words,by displaying the screen where the whole situation can be grasped at aglance before the operation of changing to the partially enlarged screenset in the personal view mode, a decrease in the causes leading toaccidents can be expected.

The description will be made with reference to FIG. 9 again. After thecounter is reset at step S109, the frame line indicating the specificregion Pa is displayed and blinks as a cut and zoomed area (zoom area)on the screen of the display unit 21 (step S110). FIG. 10B shows anexample of the display screen at this time. FIG. 10B shows that a screenwhich is not zoomed (hereinafter, referred to as “a full screen”) isdisplayed and the frame line Fl indicating the zoom area is displayed onthe screen. As such, in this example, when another view mode is changedto the personal view mode, the specific region Pa is not suddenlyenlarged and displayed, but the full screen is first displayed and thenthe transition to the personal view mode is performed. An enlarged anddisplayed range is displayed by the frame line on the screen where thefull screen is displayed. By this display, a user can easily grasp thetransition state of the modes on the screen.

At the time of the transition from another view mode, a time when thefull screen is first displayed and a time when the cut and zoomed frameline is displayed may be set to, for example, 0 seconds or 0.5 secondsto 10 seconds or the like.

After the frame line Fl indicating the zoom area is displayed and blinksat step S110, zooming starts (step S111), the zoom area and the framethereof are gradually enlarged and displayed (step S112), and thezooming is finished (step S113). Along with the frame line Fl, words(message) warning that the displayed picture is a zoomed picture aredisplayed (step S114). That is to say, the frame line Fl and the picturetherein shown in FIG. 10B are gradually enlarged, and finally displayedon the overall screen as shown in FIG. 10C. In addition, the warningmessage Ms “CAUTION PARTIAL VIEW” is displayed and blinks.

The frame line Fl is at first drawn slightly inside the screen to leavea margin as shown in FIG. 10C. The frame line Fl is displayed slightlyinside the full screen, and thereby there can be expectation of aneffect that a user intuitively grasps the fact that the image visuallyextracts, enlarges and displays the specific region Pa. When a displayframe only for the screen periphery is formed, it is difficult tomentally grasp the partial enlargement in which the frame is integratedwith an image of the surrounding environment or a portion of a frame ofthe display device, but this can be improved by displaying the innerframe once in this way. In this example, after the display is performedonce, the picture in the frame line Fl is displayed on the overallscreen as shown in FIG. 10D. The display of the personal view mode isfinished at a point of time when a view mode display timer times out(step S115 in FIG. 9) after only a portion of the region is continuouslydisplayed for a long time, and returns to the full screen displayaccording to the normal mode.

A time (zooming time) after the full screen is displayed as shown inFIG. 10B until the specific region Pa is displayed as shown in FIG. 10Dor FIG. 10C may set as a parameter of, for example, 0 seconds, or about0.3 seconds to 10 seconds. The step for varying the zoom magnificationtowards the enlargement may be set to a value by which a user candetermine continuity, for example, an arbitrary value between two stepsand 256 steps. A time for displaying and blinking of the warning messageMs may be set to 0 seconds, or 0.5 seconds to an infinite value. A timeuntil the timer, which measures the display time of the personal viewmode, times out may be set to 30 seconds to an infinite value.

A Correspondence Example of the Button Operation with the Screen Display

Next, a correspondence example of an operation input regarding theselection and fixity button B1 and the value input button B2 with thescreen display of the display unit 21 will be described with referenceto FIGS. 11A to 18C. FIGS. 11A to 11L show in a time series an exampleof the screen display undergoing a transition when the buttons areoperated. To begin with, in the state where a screen of the normal mode(or other display modes) is displayed as shown in FIG. 11A, ifsimultaneous long pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 and thevalue input button B2 is detected, interruption is performed and thusthere is transition to a screen shown in FIG. 11B.

On the screen shown in FIG. 11B, a character string “MENU” is displayedat the top left, and, at the right thereof, an icon indicatingenlargement (zoom) and icons indicating the movement of the frame in theX axis direction or Y axis direction are displayed. These icons aredisplayed so as to facilitate visual understanding of the contents ofthe menu (personal view mode setting menu). The icons may not bedisplayed, but only the character string “MENU” may be displayed. A sign“CONFIRM” under the character string “MENU” is for prompting to fix anoperation of selecting the menu. Here, if a user presses the selectionand fixity button B1, the character string “CONFIRM” is regarded asbeing selected, and there is transition to a personal view mode settingmenu mode (hereinafter, abbreviated to “a setting menu mode”).

The screen for prompting the fixity of the menu selection operation maydisplay a screen as shown in FIG. 12. In the screen shown in FIG. 12, acharacter string “SET MODE” is displayed at the top left of the screenand a frame line for deciding the specific region Pa is also displayed.As such, the character string such as “SET MODE” which represents thetransition to the setting menu mode so as to be easily understood, andthe frame line or the like which symbolizes the personal view mode maybe displayed on the screen.

Referring to FIG. 11A to 11L again, if the pressing of the selection andfixity button B1 is detected in the state of displaying the screen shownin FIG. 11B, there is transition to the setting menu mode. Here, whenthe timer for counting a button fixity waiting time starts as describedabove and no operation is detected until the timer times out, thesetting menu mode is finished.

FIG. 11C shows an example of a screen display of the setting menu mode.The character string “ZOOM” is displayed at the top left of the screen,and two icons associated with “ZOOM” are shown at the right thereof. Aframe line for deciding the specific region Pa is displayed at thecenter of the screen. The size of the frame line is in inverseproportion to the zoom magnification, and, at first, the frame line isdisplayed as the minimum size. When the frame line of the minimum sizeis selected by a user, an image of the small region surrounded by theframe line is enlarged to the overall screen and displayed. That is tosay, the image is enlarged at the maximum zoom magnification.

When the pressing of the value input button B2 is detected in the stateof displaying the screen shown in FIG. 11C, the region surrounded by theframe line is enlarged in conjunction with the number of the pressing.This enlargement is performed in the circulated manner as describedabove, and if the frame line reaches the maximum size of the screen, itis displayed again as the minimum size. In addition, as shown in FIG.13, in the screen for setting zoom magnification, the zoom magnificationmay be displayed using a line. A transverse line indicating the zoommagnification is displayed at the top of the FIG. 13, and a longitudinalline indicating the size of the zoom magnification is overlapped withand displayed at the left end part of the transverse line. In this way,the GUI (graphical user interface) which exhibits the zoom magnificationto be visually easily understood may be displayed.

When the pressing of the selection and fixity button B1 is detected inthe state of displaying the screen, there is a transition to the screenshown in FIG. 11D. In the screen shown in FIG. 11D, a color of the signpart “ZOOM” is changed, and thus the variation to the fixity of theselection state is represented so as to be visually easily understood.If the zoom magnification is fixed, the screen subsequently undergoes atransition to a screen shown in FIG. 11E.

On the screen shown in FIG. 11E, a character string “X-POS.” indicatinga screen for deciding the X axis coordinate of the specific region Paand icons representing the decision of the X axis coordinate as imagesare displayed. A frame line for deciding a position of the X coordinateis also displayed. When the pressing of the value input button B2 isdetected in the state of displaying this screen, the region surroundedby the frame line moves rightwards from the center depending on thenumber of pressings. This movement is also performed in the circulatedmanner, and if the region reaches the right end of the screen, it movesto the left end thereof, and the region moves rightwards again. As shownin FIG. 14, on the screen for setting the X axis coordinate, the frameline may be displayed in accordance with the arrow indicating a movementdirection (in this case, rightwards) of the frame line.

Here, if the position of the X axis coordinate is decided by pressingthe selection and fixity button B1, the screen undergoes a transition toa screen shown in FIG. 11F. On the screen shown in FIG. 11F as well, thecolor of the sign part “X-POS.” is changed, and the variation to thefixity of the selection state is represented to be visually easilyunderstood. If the position of the X coordinate is fixed, the screen issubsequently transited to a screen shown in FIG. 11G.

On the screen shown in FIG. 11G, a character string “X-POS.” indicatinga screen for deciding the Y axis coordinate of the specific region Paand icons representing the decision of the Y axis coordinate as imagesare displayed. A frame line for deciding a position of the Y coordinateis also displayed. When the pressing of the value input button B2 isdetected in the state of displaying this screen, the region surroundedby the frame line moves upwards from the center depending on the numberof pressings. This movement is also performed in the circulated manner,and if the region reaches the topmost part of the screen, it moves tothe bottommost part thereof, and the region moves upwards again. Asshown in FIG. 15, on the screen for setting the Y axis coordinate, theframe line may be displayed in accordance with the arrow indicating amovement direction (in this case, upwards) of the frame line.

Here, if the position of the Y axis coordinate is decided by pressingthe selection and fixity button B1, the screen undergoes a transition toa screen shown in FIG. 11H. On the screen shown in FIG. 11H as well, thecolor of the sign part “Y-POS.” is changed. If the position of the Yaxis coordinate is also fixed, the screen undergoes a transition to ascreen shown in FIG. 11I. On the screen shown in FIG. 11I, the specificregion Pa decided by the zoom magnification, the X coordinate, and the Ycoordinate designated by a user are indicated by the frame line, and acharacter string “OK/NG” is displayed at the top left of the screen.This sign is for prompting whether or not to fix the zoom magnificationand the position of the specific region Pa. The values are fixed bypressing the selection and fixity button B1, and are canceled bypressing the value input button B2.

When the selection and fixity button B1 is pressed by a user in thestate of displaying the screen shown in FIG. 11I, the screen undergoes atransition to a screen shown in FIG. 11K. In this example, the screen isnot suddenly changed, but the zoom magnification is gradually increasedand the screen undergoes a transition in a predetermined time. In thisway, the situations are consecutively displayed by the gradualtransition, and thereby there is an effect that recognition andcomprehension of the situation are improved to reduce loss ofrecognition. A time for the transition may be set as a parameter ofabout 0.3 seconds to 10 seconds as described above. The parameter may beset to 0 seconds, and, in this case, the screen is instantaneouslychanged. The step width for varying the zoom magnification towards theenlargement may also be set to an arbitrary value between two steps and256 steps.

On the screen shown in FIG. 11K, a character string “CAUTION ZOOMPARTIAL VIEW” (warning message) and a surrounding frame are displayed.The character string “CAUTION ZOOM PARTIAL VIEW” and the surroundingframe are for notifying a user that the picture displayed on the screenis not one by the normal mode but an enlarged picture by the personalview mode. For this reason, the color of the frame may be set to a redcolor or the like. In the case where the surrounding frame is intendedto blink, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of surrounding frames may bedisplayed in an overlapping manner. When a plurality of surroundingframes is displayed in the overlapping manner, the lines maysequentially light up and out from the innermost line to the outermostline. This display achieves a visual effect such that the frame isexpanded outwards and enables a user to intuitively grasp that thepicture surrounded by the frame is a zoomed picture. In order to achievethe same effect, the frames may be displayed so as to be erased one byone from the inner surrounding frame of the plurality of surroundingframes. Alternatively, the plurality of surrounding frames may light upor blink at the same time. Without the surrounding frames, only thewarning message may be displayed. Further, the text of the warningmessage is also not limited to one described above.

In this example, when the capturing system 5 is powered on, a picture bythe personal view mode is not displayed, but a picture by other modes,for example, the normal mode or the distant place mode or the like maybe displayed. This is because when an enlarged picture by the personalview mode is displayed at the time of being powered on, there is adanger that a user will steer while overlooking the picture which isenlarged and displayed. The picture by other modes is not a picturewhich enlarges a partial region, but indicates a picture to provideoverall comprehension, of which a zooming ratio is adjusted to a degreethat the “overall vehicle running directions” can be grasped. A range of“the overall vehicle running directions” is specified by, for example,the width of a vehicle or the like. When a picture by the personal viewmode is displayed, such a danger can be prevented by designating as anecessary operation the long pressing operation of the buttons which ispurposely performed by a user. However, there may be a setting fordisplaying an enlarged picture by the personal view mode at the time ofbeing powered on.

As described above, according to the capturing system in thisembodiment, for example, a place which is difficult for a user to viewis decided as the specific region, based on the instruction inputs bythe user. The specific region is cut from a taken image, enlarged, andoutput to the screen of the display device, by the instruction inputs ofthe user. In other words, since the user can set a place which isdifficult to view uniquely to the user, and view the place byenlargement, the user can confirm in detail a picture of the place whichthe user intends to view.

Also, since the setting and reading of the specific region Pa are bothperformed inside the capturing device 1, it is not necessary to performany process in the display device 2. Therefore, for example, even when auser buys a replacement display device 2, the user can confirm a pictureby the personal view mode. In addition, a portion of an image undergoesthe cutting conversion process in the capturing device 1, and thereby itcan be processed from the original high definition image directlyobtained from the image sensor 11 before being carried on a limitedimage transmission signal band such as the NTSC. Accordingly, since theoptimized conversion and the image quality improvement process as thepersonal view mode are performed, information for a precise and highdefinition image can be supplied to the display device 2 as comparedwith a case where a portion thereof is merely cut and enlarged in thedisplay device 2.

Also, according to this example, since, the selection and fixity buttonB1 and the value input button B2, the setting of the specific region Paor the reading of the setting values for “display of a place intended tobe viewed” can be performed simply by the operation of the two buttons,even if a user is driving or the like, the setting or the reading iscompleted without unduly taxing the user's hand. Particularly, thereading and enlarging of the specific region Pa can be performed simplyby the operation of the selection and fixity button B1 and theconsecutive button pressing operation, and thereby the specific regionPa can be easily confirmed in parallel with the driving operation.

In addition, according to this example, the size or the position of theframe line indicating the specific region Pa varies depending on thepressing operation of the value input button B2. When the long pressingof the button for fixing the size or the position of the frame line isreceived, the setting values for specifying the specific region Pa aregenerated. Therefore, a user can set the specific region Pa by thesimple operation such as varying the size or the position of the frameline without inputting the parameters of the zoom magnification or the Xaxis coordinate and Y axis coordinate of the specific region Pa.

Also, according to this example, since the specific region Pa can be setin plurality, for example, a place which is difficult to view in a homeparking lot, and a place which is difficult to view in a workplaceparking lot can be set independently. In addition, since these pluralsettings can be altered in order and displayed simply by the consecutivebutton pressing operation of the selection and fixity button B1, evenwhen plural kinds of information are registered, a user can easilyconfirm the information.

In addition, according to this example, since the surrounding frame andthe warning message are displayed on the screen displaying the enlargedspecific region Pa, this can easily notify a user that a picture duringthe viewing is a zoomed picture. Therefore, there can be expectation ofan effect that an error or an accident while driving which may occur ina case where a user drives while overlooking the enlarged picture isprevented in advance.

2. A Modified Example 1 (An Example of Receiving an Operation Using OneButton)

The embodiment described so far has been described by exemplifying theoperation input unit 22 of the display device 2 having the two buttons(the selection and fixity button B1 and the value input button B2), butan operation may be performed using one button. When the operation canbe performed using one button, the button has three functions,selection, sequential adding-up, and fixity. Specifically, activation ofthe personal view mode setting menu and the personal view mode itself,decision of the zoom magnification, and positions of the X axiscoordinate and Y axis coordinate, and fixity of the size and position ofthe specific region Pa are performed by long pressing of the button. Inaddition, the selection of the zoom magnification, and positions of theX axis coordinate and Y axis coordinate is performed by consecutivebutton pressing. By this configuration, setting of the specific regionPa and reading of the specific region Pa at the personal view mode canbe performed using one button. Thereby, it is possible to increase thearea for installing other buttons in the display device 2. In addition,it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of signal lines connected tothe display device 2, and thus it is possible to improve the degree ofdesign freedom.

3. A Modified Example 2 (An Example of Displaying a Picture of theSpecific Region Pa on a Small Screen of PinP)

The embodiment described so far has exemplified that a picture of thespecific region Pa is enlarged to the overall screen of the displaydevice 2 and displayed, but the invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, a picture of the specific region Pa may be displayed on a PinPsmall screen. A configuration example of a capturing system 5α in thiscase is shown in FIG. 17.

In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to the elementscorresponding to those in FIG. 1, and thus detailed description thereofwill be omitted. In the configuration shown in FIG. 17, an image storageunit 132α has a first region 132α1 and a second region 132α2, and thereis provided a region selection unit 19 for selecting in which region ofthe regions an image is written. Converted images used to be output tothe overall screen of the display unit 21 are stored in the first region132α1, and converted images used to be displayed on the PinP smallscreen are stored in the second region 132α2. The images stored in theimage storage unit 132α are all consecutively read according to a frameoutput timing, and thereby it is possible to obtain image outputs of aPinP output format as an output of the standard output format of theanalog encoder 18.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are diagrams illustrating a writing process of theconverted images in the first region 132α1 and the second region 132α2.First, as shown in FIG. 18A, a converted image S used to be output tothe PinP small screen is written in the second region 132α2. No image iswritten in the first region 132α1 as a mask region. Next, as shown inFIG. 18B, a converted image F used to be output to the full screen iswritten in the first region 132α1. The converted image F used to beoutput to the full screen is generated based on a default imageresulting from an image signal generated by the image sensor 11. At thistime, no image is written in the second region 132α2 as a mask region.The region selection unit 19 reduces by half the frame rate of each ofthe converted image F for full screen output and the converted image Sfor small screen output written in this way, and alternately outputsthem for each frame. In other words, each of the converted images isupdated once every other frame. By this process, as shown in FIG. 18C,the converted image F for full screen output and the converted image Sfor small screen output, which are temporally different from each other,are synthesized and output.

By this configuration, for example, it is possible to display a takenpicture by the normal mode on the full screen of the display unit 21,and to display a picture of the specific region Pa by the personal viewmode on the PinP small screen. Thereby, a user can not only confirmgeneral pictures taken by the capturing device 1α but also confirmenlarged pictures of the specific region Pa. Therefore, it is possibleto easily comprehend situations regarding the vicinity of a vehicle.Further, according to the configuration in this example, since the imagestorage unit 132α is not provided in plurality corresponding to thenumber of the regions, it is also possible to reduce manufacturing costsof the capturing device 1α.

As shown in FIGS. 17, and 18A to 18C, as well as the configuration wherethe display control of the PinP screen is performed using one imagestorage unit 132α, this example may be applied to a configuration wherea plurality of image storage units 132α is provided corresponding to thenumber of the regions. A picture of the specific region Pa by thepersonal view mode may be displayed not on the PinP small screen but onthe full screen, and a picture for overall comprehension may bedisplayed on the small screen.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automotive camera system for use in avehicle, comprising: a user-operated input button operable by a user togenerate a plurality of setting values representing differentenlargement levels for enlarging an image generated by an image sensorwhen the automotive camera system is in a powered on state, respectivesetting values being produced in response to the number of times aninput button is pressed by the user; a memory configured to store theplurality of setting values representing respective enlargement levels;and circuitry operable when the automotive camera system is in thepowered on state and configured to provide an enlargement level based ona count corresponding to the number of times the input button is pressedby the user; read from the memory a first setting value representing afirst enlargement level; control generation of a first enlarged image ofa region of the image generated by the image sensor in response to aninput instruction, the amount of enlargement of the first enlarged imagebeing determined by the first setting value read from the memory; readfrom the memory a second setting value representing a second enlargementlevel; control generation of a second enlarged image generated by theimage sensor in response to an input instruction, the amount ofenlargement of the second enlarged image being determined by the secondsetting value read from the memory; control display of indicia informingan enlargement state of a displayed image; control output of the firstenlarged image and the second enlarged image; and control output of theimage generated by the image sensor when the automotive camera system ischanged to the powered on state.
 2. The automotive camera system ofclaim 1, wherein the image generated by the image sensor includes theregion and a portion of the vehicle.
 3. The automotive camera system ofclaim 2, wherein the first enlarged image includes the portion of thevehicle.
 4. The automotive camera system of claim 1, wherein the settingvalues include default setting values set in a factory.
 5. Theautomotive camera system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor comprisesa CMOS image sensor.
 6. The automotive camera system of claim 1, whereinthe indicia represents zoom magnification for the corresponding first orsecond enlarged images.
 7. The automotive camera system of claim 1,wherein the circuitry is configured to control the output of the imagegenerated by the image sensor following a predetermined time after thefirst or second enlarged image is output.
 8. The automotive camerasystem of claim 1, wherein the input instruction is an instruction fordisplaying an enlargement state representing an enlarged specific regionon a display unit.
 9. The automotive camera system of claim 1, whereinthe memory, the image sensor and the circuitry are disposed in acapturing device.
 10. The automotive camera system of claim 9, whereinthe capturing device is installed in a rear portion of the vehicle, andwherein a display unit separate from the capturing device is installedinside the vehicle.
 11. The automotive camera system of claim 1, whereinthe circuitry utilizes NTSC standard for outputting at least one of theimage signal corresponding to the image generated by the image sensor,the first enlarged image and the second enlarged image.
 12. Anautomotive camera system for use in a vehicle, comprising: a memoryconfigured to pre-store a plurality of setting values representingdifferent enlargement states for enlarging respectively differentregions of an image generated by an image sensor when the automotivecamera system is in a powered on state; and a processor programmed tooperate when the automotive camera system is in the powered on state andconfigured to cause the generation of a first enlarged image of a firstregion of the image generated by the image sensor in response to aninput instruction, the region and amount of enlargement of the firstenlarged image being determined by a first setting value read from thememory; the processor being further programmed to operate when theautomotive camera system is in the powered on state and configured tocause the generation of a second enlarged image of a second region ofthe image generated by the image sensor in response to an inputinstruction, the region and amount of enlargement of the second enlargedimage being determined by a second setting value read from the memory,the amount of enlargement of the second enlarged image being differentthan the amount of enlargement of the first enlarged image; theprocessor being further programmed to control display of informationcorresponding to the first enlarged image and the second enlarged image,the information representing an enlargement state of a displayed image;the processor being further programmed to control output of the firstenlarged image and the second enlarged image and to control output ofthe image generated by the image sensor when the automotive camerasystem is changed to the powered on state; and the processor beingfurther programmed to cause a display of a sequence of overlapping framelines displayed sequentially from an innermost frame line to anoutermost frame line to achieve a visual effect of an outwardlyexpanding frame that surrounds the enlarged image that is displayed inresponse to an instruction to change over the displayed image betweenthe first and second enlarged images.
 13. A method for processing animage signal from an image sensor in an automotive camera system,comprising: reading from a memory a first setting value representing afirst enlargement level; generating a first enlarged image of a regionof an image generated by the image sensor in response to an inputinstruction, the amount of enlargement of the first enlarged image beingdetermined by the first setting value read from the memory; reading fromthe memory a second setting value representing a second enlargementlevel; generating a second enlarged image generated by the image sensorin response to an input instruction, the amount of enlargement of thesecond enlarged image being determined by a second setting value readfrom the memory and being different than the amount of enlargement ofthe first enlarged image; wherein the first and second enlargementlevels represented by the respective first and second setting values arebased on counts corresponding to the number of times an input button ispressed by a user; controlling display of indicia informing anenlargement state of a displayed image; controlling output of the firstenlarged image and the second enlarged image; and outputting the imagegenerated by the image sensor when the automotive camera system ischanged to a powered on state.